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On March 19 this year, we prematurely “coronated” the Miami Heat as champions. We were unaware that their eventual foe would be a formidable, fearless, battle-tested, veteran team – The San Antonio Spurs. The first round injury to Russell Westbrook effectively eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder which had the best record in the West during the regular season. Most would still pick the Heat in a landslide against the Thunder.

Here we are with game 1 tonight – the Spurs representing the West and the Heat representing the East for all the marbles – the 2013 NBA championship.

Who wins this exciting matchup? The MVP and the widely recognized best player in the WORLD, LeBron James OR the 4-time NBA champions led by future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs are a daunting task to Miami’s repeat hopes. Love this matchup for all those that feel the NBA is rigged! For Miami to win back to back titles and get LeBron his 2nd ring and Dwayne Wade his 3rd title, they will have to endure ferocious defense, get help from others outside LeBron and rebond the Ball. On the other hand, for the Spurs to win and get their 5th title, they will have to keep LeBron in check, keep Bosh & Wade subpar and steal homecourt advantage.

With so many factors favoring the veteran Spurs, should we reconsider crowing the Heat? Will the BEST PLAYER on the Planet raise the trophy? Or will the BEST TEAM on the Planet win? I’ve changed my mind back and forth all week.

For the first time in years, I feel like both teams deserve it! Tim Duncan could cement his already marvelous resume by tying Kobe Bryant with 5 titles. The veteran Spurs have had an impressive playoff run. They swept the Grizzles in the conference finals. Greg Popovich is 4-0 in 4 trips to the Finals. The Heat are in 3 consecutive finals. Lebron is in his 4th NBA finals. He has revenge on his mind. He can silence his critics even more by raising the trophy.

Decision time – I have gone back and forth all week. With gametime in 6 hours, I’ll force myself to make a decision now. Heat in 6 or 7.

Why? It wouldn’t surprise me if the Spurs won. It’s that close. But I’m choosing the team with Homecourt advantage AND the team with the best player. I feel LeBron will put the Heat on his back and carry them to victory. Star Power.

Repeat- the Miami Heat in 6 or 7 games. Sticking with Crowing the Heat (already)!

Monday night March 18th, the world witnessed a wildly entertaining pre-March madness, playoff-intense battle between the visiting Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.

Let’s appropriately set the stage: The game begins with a recorded Paul Pierce interview in the tunnel “I don’t care if the Miami Heat lose every game the rest of the season. I hope they lose every game this season!” The NBA always has amazing story lines! 5 years to the day that the Houston Rockets 22 game streak ended (3/18/2008), the Heat and Celtics meet with the Celtics primed to be the league’s best streak-breaker AGAIN.

This game had all the makings of a postseason game. A rivalry between perennial enemies. Boston having won 11 straight home games. Miami chasing NBA history having won their previous 22 games and seeking second place all time with 23 consecutive wins. Something had to give. The Celtics started the game hot and Miami fell behind double digits.

Skip forward to the 4th quarter… The HEAT have out scored their opponents in the 23 game win streak in “clutch time” (meaning less than 5 mins to go and score within 5 points) By a whopping 145 to 75!

I feel compelled to steal a line from sporting news: “with the Celtics up 13 points on the Heat with just 8 minutes left in the game, it appeared the Celtics were about to end Miami’s 22 game winning streak UNTIL LeBron James did what LeBron James does.” Dare I say, BEASTMODE.

Its clear the talents and ability that King James bring to the Heat. 35 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists versus the Celtics on Monday night. The eighteenth(18th) 35 and 10 performance of his career. He is shooting near 60% in the Heat’s 23 game win streak to go with about 8 rebounds and 7 assists approximately. And night in and night out, he is the best player on the floor.

Mario Chalmers scored a huge 21 points on 4 for 5 three point shooting.

Dwyane Wade added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Lingering question: How would the Celtics have faired if their defensive and emotional leader Kevin Garnett had played? We will never know unfortunately.

In other news: Jeff Green had the best game of his career scoring a career high 43 points in an efficient 14 for 21 shooting with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks. 26 points in the first half on 9 for 12 shooting.

Avery Bradley is pretty impressive defensively. The chase down block at the rim on Norris Cole was something to see.

In the end, LeBron James was the difference hitting the shot of the night over Jeff Green with 10 seconds to go.

Miami Heat will win the East and is my pick to win back to back championships. Go ahead and Crown them 2013 NBA Champions. Can the Western conference champ beat Miami?

Yes, San Antonio has a chance. So does OKC. But I think the Heat will win against either. The West is ultra competitive and the winner will be either be severely bruised OR primed, ready and battle-tested.

Where will their historic win streak end? 25 wins? 29 wins? 35? My prediction is that they will win 27 and lose to the Chicago Bulls on the road on March 27th.